Update from the Team

Breakfast view

Debbi's class with Albany Y's Kristen Usher

Melissa and our Y hosts at celebration night here in HCM City tonight

We had our grand finale tonight at the Y here in the city, after a day of park visits and Y preschool ...

Hong Kong airport ... Still traveling with Y pal Jessica Aaron for Seattle for a few more hours!! 

Update from Melissa!

So after a day's recovery in the city, an emotional & heartbreaking time in the school with the children, we load up the bus again today for about a 5 hour journey to the town of Mui Ne on the eastern coast. With luck our driveshaft on the bus will hold as our last two trips the driveshaft fractured!

Last evening of of our YMCA youth volunteer hosts gave me a motorbike ride around the city at night! This was thrilling and a brilliant way to see the city from the vantage point of a local!! The people here are so resilient & so gracious ... I am already so impacted by this culture.

Here is a great photo of Mr. Doug Gray!

update from Melissa

We are having our first and only rest day on Monday, spending time in the city resting up after our inspirational week of work at the school.

Update from Bryan

 We wrapped up the work at the school yesterday by painting murals on the classroom walls. It was a lot of fun and showed everyone's creativity. We also had a community celebration and dinner with local officials at the end of the day. We are heading back to Saigon today. It will take an entire day by bus. Dave, I drew the Trans Am for my mural as you can see. Talk to you all soon. Hope you have a great day.

Tonight's sunset in Rach Gia

Update from Melissa and Team!

Big push today! We finished painting doors, windows, walls ... And grouted tile flooring in front of the school rooms, all the while cleaning off little footprints! I can mark off my bucket list being crushed by mobs of small children as we placed temporary tattoos on arms and hands! We are exhausted but happy, and feel much goodwill, teamwork, and happiness. This culture is full of strength & resilience!

Debbi Dean's 6am Jump Start tshirt on Barbara Sledd at the school today!

Update from Bryan

Just got back from work day #3 and we basically completed the majority of the work. This is unbelievable. I did not think we could get everything done in that amount of time. We finished up painting, scraped tile floors, cleaned the floors, cleaned the desks, rehung the classroom doors, and grouted tile. We also taught English in some of the classes. Awesome day of work. Attached are some events of the day. Take care and have a great day. We are getting ready to head out for dinner.